Summary: Today I read an email from Doug who has a problem with how his band is handling money (we talked about this last week). Here is what is going on. When he replaced their old guitar player, "When I joined, the former guitar player was paid for "his interest" in the PA. " However since then: We have since purchased more PA equipment as a band. I wasn't very happy about it, and voted against such purchases because of the accounting difficulties involved. We don't earn a lot, but we made the purchases, and the members didn't get paid for the gigs we played, but bought the equipment, contributing about $400 each. The band then decided that if a member left, the departing member would not receive anything. Only if the band broke up and the equipment sold, would the members receive their capital account value. It was also decided that the leader would not spend more than $250 without prior band approval. He later purchased $1,100 worth of T-shirts and hats, without prior approval, on the basis that "we would make it all back when we sold the merch." Of course, we have not sold it, so we contributed that money too, in addition to the equipment purchases. Doug realizes he could leave. for me these are the questions I ask: 1. Why are you in the band? I played with a band for seven years (as a hobby) where I made $50 a gig, but I played music I LOVED, and the guys had very little drama (I handled the money and we had clear cut rules that people FOLLOWED). 2. If you're in it to make money, then look in your wallet. Are you making money? I don't play for free (I do occasionally play a charity gig). I wouldn't pay for free. The band I'm in we pay the singer a bit more as its his PA. I don't have a problem with that as it is wear and tare on his system. If something breaks he replaces it. I am running an online class about Podcasting in Six weeks I am going to pay $99 a month for Go To Webinar. I am charging $99 for the first class (it sold out and future classes are at $149). My first class will make roughly $900. I'm going to spend $100 and end up with $800. Sometimes you have to spend money to make money. As long as you are making money, and its enough money for you (which is completely dependent on you). 3. If you decide you are going to leave, start looking for a new band while you have a band. Then when you find a band to move to, do the professional thing and give them plenty of notice. Don't leave them hanging without a player to cover your position. Drugs Are Bad Mkay? In today blurb from my book Get Your Band Out of the Basement, I explain that you will more than likely run into people who use drugs, alcohol,etc. I point out that there are NUMEROUS musicians whose lives were taken WAY TOO SOON because of their use of drugs. So my question is, "Why play with a loaded gun?" I'm not sure I ever heard someone say, "I'm so glad I started shooting heroine in the 90's its made my life so much better. I've never heard, "Thank God I was so drunk I didn't feel anything.." I'm not a prude, but if I have a choice of a band that parties during practice and gigs and one that doesn't, I'm going with the sober group. Ok, I'll get off my soapbox. [easyazon-block asin="B00CAC6DXO" align="none"]
